[Jewelry making - Article 00912] - Re: [Orchid] PMC in General

[Ladysmithgallery]

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>>        When I'm buying metal for my designs, I don't consider fine
>>    silver (except for bezels or weaving chains). How is PMC different
>>    in this regard (or is it?). 

>     It's less dense than fine silver, it will break if slightly
>     stressed. PMC plus or PMC3, unless fired at the highest temperature
>     for the longest time (1650 F/2 hours) will break!  In MY OPINION, I
>     would never use PMC for findings, jump rings, or anything that will
>     be under stress. 

    OK, but that still doesn't answer my question. My point was that
    most metalsmithing is done with alloys of silver and gold (sterling,
    karat gold) because the pure silver or gold is too soft and
    malleable to hold it's shape for most jewelry applications (bails,
    wire embelishments, castings). I use sterling for these things, not
    fine silver. Why is it that fine silver in metalsmithing
    applications is considered inferior to sterling for durability
    reasons, when PMC apparently is not? 

Donna 

SilverSorceress Designs
Unique, handcrafted Silver and Gemstone Jewelry
http://www.silversorceress.com/
19 Bomarc Rd.
Bangor, ME 04401
207-947-6200

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